Wire-fence machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. B. L. FLETCHER.

WIRE FENGE MACHINE.

No. 339,159. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. B. L. FLETCHER.

' WIRE PENGB MACHINE. No. 339,169. Patented Apr. 6, 188.6.

N. PETERS Photo-Lilhngwphur, Washington. D. C.

ilnrrn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN L. FLETCHER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,159, dated April 6, 1886.

Application filed November 13, 1885.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN L. FLETCHER, of the city of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ire-Fence Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The various features and advantages of my invention will be readily understood from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents in perspective a wire-fence machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating my improved straightening device and themeans for operating it. Fig. 3is a central longitudinal section of the machine represented in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing a slight modification in the arrangement of the levers and of the stretching board and pins. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a twisting-head and its springs.

The frame is shaped to support the machine, and is designated in the drawings by the letter The spools B are mounted at one end of the frame and the wires are brought forward, each pair passing through atwisting-head, O. A. pair of springs, G, are attached to each twisting-head, and through an eye in the end of each spring C one of the wires passes. Each twisting-head is provided with a toothed wheel, 1).

The preferable means of operating the twisting-heads is by means of an endless chain, d, which passes alternately over and under the toothed wheels 1), engaging with their teeth, and after passing over the last wheel returns under the wheel to the operating-wheel D at the side of themachine. The operating-wheel D is worked by the crank E.

A suitable device is to be employed for forcing the paling into place between the wires and holding the paling there preparatory to the latter being secured in position by the twist of the wires. One description of device for this purpose is briefly illustrated,and consists as follows: F is a handle which operates the fingers G in forcing the paling into place between the wires. The table H is mounted on side pieces, 71 ,wl1ich raise it above the level of the frame A. The side pieces, h,

Serial No. 182,752. (No model.)

are provided with the slots h,which allow the table to be adjusted with reference to the twisting-heads. On the under surface of the table H two brackets,I, are rigidly fastened. Each bracket I has a rod, k, pivoted in it, and the other ends of the rods k are united by across piece, 7s. The three pieces k k k constitute the yoke K, which may instead be made in one piece. The leafL extends down from the table H, and has the leaf L hinged to it. The leaf L passes under the rod 7;, and has the rod loosely attached to its upper surface by the strap Z. The lever M is fulcrumed to the support N, which projects downward from the table H. One end of the lever M is attached to the leaf L and the other end is pivoted to the connecting-rod O. The other end of the rod 0 is pivoted to the handle P, which in lts turn is fulcrumed to the support Q. Pins R, preferably two in number, are loosely pivoted to the rod 7; and extend upwardly, passing through openings 71? in the table H. At the end of the machine a drum is placed, on which the fence is wound as fast as it is made. This drum is provided with a ratchet wheel, T, which is held by the pawl t,pivotally attached to the frame A. An arm,U, swingsloosely on the axle of the drum and extends beyond the edge of the ratchet T. It is connected to the lever S by the short connecting-rod n. This connectinga'od uis provided with a dog, a, which engages with the teeth of the ratchet T. The foot-lever S is fulcrumed to the side of the frame, and its short end is held down by the spring S.

In describing the operation of the machine, let us suppose that the fence has been started, as shown in Fig. 1: A paling is put by hand in place between the wires and is then driven home against the twists by fingers G, operated by handle F. The crank E is now turned and the wires are twisted, holding the paling firmly in position. The foot-lever S is now worked up and down several times, winding the fence on the drum. As the last paling secured ap proaches the edge of the table H it is met by the pins R, which project slightly above the surface of the table. Asa rule the paling will reach one pin before touching the other, thus showing that the fence is beginning to weave crooked. The fence is now tightened by means of the foot -lever S until the paling rests against both pins. This makes the fence straight, and all is ready for the introduction of the next paling. When the next paling has been secured in position and the wire twisted, the handle P is depressed, lowering with it the pins B, so that when the foot-lever S is operated the fence may be wound on the drum, drawing the paling over the ends of the depressed pins R. As soon as the paling has passed the pins the handle P is released, forcing the pins R to pass up through the table, and project above the latter in time to straighten the paling last inserted.

To insure the return of the pins R to position, it is sometimes necessary to apply a weight or spring to the connecting-rod O, or other suitable part. By means of this device the fence is kept perfectly straight.

I will now describe another feature of my invention. The twisting-heads consist of the cylindrical frame 0 and the spring-pieces O O. The latter each consist of a straight portion, X, and a flange or bent portion, y, lo-

a cated at the free end portion of the springpiece, and containing an opening, h. The wire passes through one of the openings (1 and thence through openings h of flange 3 on the same side of the twisting-head, as opening or eye d Each of the flanges y is provided with an extension, Z, which latter extends outward toward the fence-reel end of the machine. These extensions Z Z are valuable additions to the twisting-head. They prevent the wires while being twisted from slipping off 3 5 twisting to be started closer to the picket, and

enable the operator to have more perfect control of the wires. The interposition of these extensions between the wires enables an advantageous leverage to be obtained upon them while being twisted.

While the various features of my invention are preferably employed together, one or more of said features may be used without the remainder, and in so far as applicable one or more of said features may be employed in connection with devices for making wire fence, other than those specifically herein set forth.

hat I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the table H, pins R,

yoke K, levers L, M, and P, and connectingrod 0, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The twisting-head having'spring-pieces BENJAMIN L. FLETCHER.

Witnesses:

M. M. SMITH, J NO. W. STREHLI. 

